UN chief calls for immediate 'global ceasefire' to fight coronavirus, calls pandemic the 'common enemy'

• The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday urged countries to immediately stop waging conflicts around the world in light of a "common enemy."
• "It is time to put armed conflict on lock-down and focus together on the true fight of our lives," Guterres said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic that has placed numerous countries on lockdown. "The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly."
• "To warring parties, I say, 'Pull back from hostilities. Put aside mistrust and animosity. Silence the guns, stop the artillery, end the airstrikes,'" Guterres added.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday urged countries to immediately stop waging conflicts around the world in light of a "common enemy."

"It is time to put armed conflict on lock-down and focus together on the true fight of our lives," Guterres said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic that has placed numerous countries on lockdown. "The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly."

"Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world," Guterres said, adding that health networks in "war-ravaged countries" have since collapsed.

Due to the pandemic that has killed over 16,100 people and infected more than 367,000, Guterres said it was "time to put armed conflict on lockdown" and called for an "immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world."

The novel coronavirus spread across the world from China sometime late last year, according to health officials. At least 168 countries and territories reported cases of the coronavirus, prompting the World Health Organization to label it a pandemic on March 11.

China, where the epicenter of the coronavirus took root, appeared to make progress in stemming the number of infections by imposing strict lockdowns, according to its government. The country reported 39 new cases on Sunday, seven fewer cases from the day before.

In other parts of the world, however, the number of cases continues to increase. Italy saw the highest number of coronavirus-related fatalities, surpassing China, with 6,077 deaths. The US reported 483 deaths as of Monday afternoon.

"To warring parties, I say, 'Pull back from hostilities. Put aside mistrust and animosity. Silence the guns, stop the artillery, end the airstrikes,'" Guterres said.

"End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world," he added. "It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now."

Get the latest coronavirus news and updates on how COVID-19 impacts our daily lives and businesses.